18 New APHA Rules in Effect January 1, 2026
Image credit: Paint Horse Journal.
By Jessica Hein, PHJ News:
The 2026 Official APHA Rule Book, which goes into effect January 1, 2026, includes 18 new rules. These changes were passed by elected state directors at the 2025 APHA Leadership Gathering. The 2026 Official APHA Rule Book is available online at apha.com/rule-book and includes full text of these new rules.
Notable changes include modifications to the Novice eligibility reinstatement rules, removing ownership requirements for Novice Youth exhibitors, adding the option to split Amateur Walk-Trot classes into two age divisions, and adding new point-earning classes that include Open Breakaway Roping and English and Western Versatility Pattern.
New rules in effect January 1, 2026, include:
- CONTROL #SC-015—Simplifies the language regarding qualifying age and eliminates point caps on yearlings for perpetual awards.
- CONTROL #SC-090—Decreases the mileage restriction for APHA shows from 250 miles to 200 miles.
- CONTROL #SC-095—Removes minimum required classes from 1- and 2-judge shows held in conjunction with other shows and reduces the number of minimum required classes for shows with three or more judges.
- CONTROL #SC-105-2—Allows recognized livestock shows and state fairs to hold one 4-judge POR per year without APHA regional club sponsorship, instead of being limited to 3-judge PORs.
- CONTROL #SC-105-3—Clarifies show management can run timed events in multi-judged shows under a single judge.
- CONTROL #SC-145—Removes the Show All-Around Award from the section of the rulebook governed by the state directors and moves it to the back of the rulebook.
- CONTROL #SC-150—Removes the Show High-Point Performance Award from the section of the rulebook governed by the state directors and moves it to the back of the rulebook.
- CONTROL #SC-155—Provides guidance for shows in awarding ribbons to participants.
- CONTROL #SC-204—Adds English Versatility Pattern class.
- CONTROL #SC-247—Adds Western Versatility Pattern class.
- CONTROL #SC-283—Adds Breakaway Roping to the Open Division.
- CONTROL #SC-309—Removes Ranch Horse Reining Pattern #3.
- CONTROL #JU-000—Removes the class restrictions on ancillary judges.
- CONTROL #AM-205-1—Changes the current reinstatement rules to allow points to be adjusted after 10 years, regardless of whether the individual has become ineligible for Novice status.
- CONTROL #AM-300—Creates the option to split Amateur Walk-Trot into two divisions: Amateur Walk-Trot and Masters Walk-Trot.
- CONTROL #YP-075-1—Reduces the 13 & Under classes required at shows with three or more judges from five classes to three classes, and removes 13 & Under classes from being required at standalone 1- and 2-judge shows and at shows held in Zones 12, 13 and 14.
- CONTROL #YP-205—Removes the ownership requirement for youth exhibitors in Novice classes, while allowing them to keep their points.
- CONTROL #RA-000—Modifies the registration requirements for stakes race eligibility in racehorses.
Download or view the 2026 Official APHA Rule Book for free at apha.com/rule-book. Printed copies can be purchased online as well.
